Ring for attaching articles to clothing



15, 1933' l. G. LIPPSTADT RING FOR ATTACHING ARTICLES TO CLOTHING Filed Nov. 16, 1932 Patented Aug. 15, 1933 UNITEDN'SVTATES Emerson ATTAGHING ARTICLES T orornmo Isabel G. Lippstadt, New York, N. Y.

' Application November 16, 1932 Serial No. 642,957

' 6 Claims. (Cl. 24-3) This invention relates to rings for attaching articles to clothing; and it comprises a one-piece, fiat pear-shaped, metal spring ring, split at its narrow portion, the ends thus formed being provided with complementary locking means, the

ring being oi a size and shape adapted for attachment to a belt-loop, belt,-buttcnhole, or other portion of clothing, and adapted to be slipped over, and heldby, a button; the ring being furattachment to a chain or other article; all as more fully hereinafter set forth and as claimed. Means for attaching articles such as key rings and chains, watches, and the like, to belts, have generally comprised metal loops, hooks, or chains. Usually these devices are not adapted to be opened, but must be slipped over the end of the belt, which is passed through them. Sometimes spring clasps or the like are provided, whereby the attaching means may be attached to a beltloop, a lapel button-hole or the like. These devices are in general unsuitable for attachment to a button.

According to the present invention the means for attaching articles to clothing is arranged for attachment to a belt or belt-loop or button-hole, and to a button, and with this end in view it com.-

prises a resilient split metalHone-piece member of a pear or key-hole shape having a lower por-. tion of a diameter suiiiciently great to be passed over a button and an upper portion of less width than the usual button, whereby the lower end may be inserted over the button and the upper end then pulled down behind the button and held securely thereby; such upper end being split and provided with fastening means in order that the parts may be separated sufiiciently to be inserted over a belt or a belt-loop or the like and fastened to hold the device in place. The ring has means at its wider portion, which normally is the lower portion, for attachment to a chain or other article such as a whistle or watch which is to be carried. The invention is especially advantageous for use with key-chains and rings. tion may be seen from the following description. In the accompanying drawing I have shown, more or less diagrammatically, my invention as applied to a key-holder. In these showings,

Fig. 1 is a View in elevation of a complete keyholder embodying myinvention,

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation of the upper spring ring,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional view oi the upper spring ring, taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and n ther provided at its wider portion with means for Its use in this rela- Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of the lower hinged ring.

Referring to the drawing, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, 1 indicates a flexible member such as a chain to which the split ring 4-4 or holding member is attached by means of the split link 2 and the eye 3. This holding member is arranged for attachment to the clothes of the user and con sists of a single piece of resilient metal having a pear-shaped opening, substantially circular in shape at the bottom and narrowing-at the top, the bottom opening being sufficiently large to be inserted over a button and the top opening being suiiiciently narrow to be covered by the button. At the top this member is split to form twosections or prongs 4 and 4:; one ofthe sections having a hole 11 and the other section carrying a lug 12, having a narrow shank and a wider head, the diameter of the head being such that it will pass freely through the hole. Upon inserting the lug through the hole, the prongs spring apart slightly, drawing the edge of the hole in the one prong against the shank of the lug and under the head of the lug, whereby the prongs are locked together and the ring is closed. Instead of a'headed'lug, a straight stud or pin on one prong, and a corresponding .detent or hole on the other prong, may be used, the prongs be' ing slightly sprung or bent so as to keep the pin and prong in engagement.

When it is desired to support this chain and the key ring hereinafter referred to by the belt loop L of the trousers T, the two sections 4 and 4' are pressed together laterally, bringing the head of the lug into registry with the hole. The prongs are then pulled open, and one of the prongs is then inserted through the belt-loop, whereupon 7 they are locked together through means of the clasp described. The metal surrounding the hole acts as a detent for the lug. Should it be desired to support the key ring and chain by a button it is not necessary to separate the two sides 4 and 4 of the closed ring but it is only necessary to insert the larger and lower portion over the button and to adjust the narrower or top portion in back of the button. There is thus provided in a single simple one-piece metal supporting ring, means for permitting attachment either to a beltlocp and the like or to a button.

At the lower end of the chain which is carried by the clothing attaching means is provided a split ring 5 which is inserted in thelink 6 of the key ring holder. This key ring holder has com- 7 plementary, substantially semicircular shaped sides 7 and 8 pivoted at 6' and each provided at its ends with complementary fastening means. The keys are carried by this key ring member, being threaded on the sides when they are split apart and being securely in position when the fastening device 910 is locked.

My ring means for attaching articles to clothing are not to be considered as restricted to use with a key-holder, for it is equally adapted for use with other articles such as a whistle, Watch, etc. either with or without a chain. 7

What I claim is:-- V

1. In a key-holder having means for holding keys, and a connecting member attached at one end to said means, means for attaching the connecting member to clothing, comprising a split two-pronged ring, means for attaching the ring to the connecting member, a stud on one prong and a detent in the other prong adapted to engage the stud, whereby the ring may be heldin a closed position, the ring being of a pear shape, wide at the base of the prongs and narrow near the top of the prongs, permitting the closed ring to be slipped over a button at the wide part and to be retained on the button by the narrow part.

2. In a key-holder having means for holding 7 keys, and a flexible member attached at one end of said means, means for attaching the member to clothing, comprising a pear-shaped ring, means for attaching the ring at the wide por tion to the member, the ring being'adapted to engage a button by being slipped over the-button at the wide portion of the ring, and to be retained behind the button at the narrow portion of the ring, the ring being furthermore split at the narrowest portion, forming two prongs provided with complementary locking fastening means whereby one prong may be slipped through a belt-loop and the other prong pushed into locked contact with the first prong, securing the ring,

and hence the member and key-holding means, to clothing.

3. In a key-holder having means for holding keys, and a flexible member attached at one end of said means, means for attaching the member to clothing, comprising a pear-shaped ring, means for attaching the ring at the wide portion to the member, the ring being adapted to engage a button by being slipped over the button at the wide portion of the ring, and to be retained behind the button at the narrow portion of the ring,

the ring being furthermore split at the narrowest portion, forming two prongs, and provided with a stud on one prong and a corresponding detent on the other prong, whereby one prong may be slipped through a belt-loop and the other prong pushed into locked contact with the first prong, securing the ring, and hence the member and keyholding means, to clothing.

' 4. In a key-holder having means for holding keys, and a flexible member attached at one end to said means, means for attaching the member to clothing, comprising a pear-shaped ring, means for attaching the ring at the wide portion to the member, the ring being adapted to engage a button by being slipped over the button at the wide portion of the ring, and to be retained behind the button at'the narrow portion of the ring, the ring being furthermore split at the narrowest portion, forming two prongs, one prong being provided near its end with a headed lug, the other prong being perforated with a hole large enough to fit over the head of the lug, whereby one prong may be slipped through a belt-loop and the other prong pushed into locked engagement with the first prong, securing the ring and hence the member and key-holding means, to the clothing.

5. An article carrier comprising a member for attachment to the clothing of the user, such member having a lower open portion of a width sufficient to pass over an ordinary button and an upper narrower open portion of less width adapted to be placed behind the button and covered thereby, such member also comprising separable parts which may be opened sufficiently to permit passing over a belt loop or the like and be suspended thereby, and an article retaining means carried by said clothing attaching member.

6. In a key holder having means for holding keys, and a connecting member attached at one end to said means, means for attaching the connecting member to clothing, comprising a split ring, arranged to be passed over a belt loop, the ring further having one portion of a size adapted to pass over an ordinary button, and another portion of smaller size, adapted to becovered by 

